S’muttonator is a tasty mixture of German ingredients & good ol’ fashioned New England tenaciousness. Our brewers take 30 hours to brew a single batch of this traditional Double Bock. Take your time & enjoy its rich, malty & deceptively smooth flavor.

Beer: Reviews & Ratings

Reviews by dmamiano:

4.05/5 rDev +1%look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

poured a dark ruby red with dark edges...huge billowing tan head with plenty of lacing.smells of thick, dark malts. hints of chocolate, raisins molasis,taste was BIG with a capital "B'.Thick, full on the mouth. Malt bomb.Hints of dark fruits roasty edges. figsstill tasting a twinge of warming alcohol toovery nice beer...would be especially good on a cool evening (369 characters)

More User Reviews:

4/5 rDev -0.2%look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The S'muttonator delivers a fairly clear (it's bottle-conditioned), reddish-chestnut body beneath a short cap of creamy light-tan foam. The head retention is fair, and it leaves a decent amount of splotchy lace at the outset of the glass. The nose is sweetish, lightly toasty, caramelish, and even a touch fruity from the Vienna malts. It's mildly zesty on the tongue with a very fine-bubbled and natural carbonation, and a medium-full body that's smoothly dextrinous. Rich, toasty, "juicy", sweet, molasses and prune-like, and subtly husky malts dominate the flavor; laced with floral and spicy hop flavors as well as a quick, sharp slap of alcohol. The bitterness is more than firm enough, however, to reign it in and keep it from becoming cloying. The occassional caress of alcohol appears to "warm" in the finish (9.8% is a touch high... Paulaner's Salvator is only 7.5%), but other than that it's very clean, superbly balanced, and exceptionally well-done. It's very nice indeed with the exception that it is a little over-the-top as far as alcohol content is concerned. Worth trying... (1,091 characters)

Expectations are high given its current 91 rating. 9.8% ABV. Reviewed as a doppelbock per the label. "Bottle conditioned 2014." Served cold into a pilsner glass and allowed to warm over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

No bubble show forms as it's poured.

HEAD: Half finger wide. White colour. Decent creaminess and thickness. Not real frothy. Leaves no lacing as it recedes. Retention is pretty good for the ABV - about 3-4 minutes.

Appears aptly carbonated. Not unique or special for the style, but certainly within conventions, and appealing.

AROMA: My first whiff yields only a simplistic impression of generic malty sweetness.

Trying again, I pick up on caramel, some brown sugar, vague indistinct fruit, and caramelized fruits and malts.

Hmm. There aren't many notes in the aroma. As it warms a bit, though, it does start to take shape: light fig, faint sugarplum, the beginnings of a trace of red apple...it's not a muted or subdued aroma, it's just a withdrawn one.

Pleasant, but light in strength.

No yeast character, alcohol, or off-notes are detectable.

TASTE: Caramel, prune, light fig, a kiss of sugarplum, caramelized indistinct fruit, amber malts, traces of cherry and juicy red apple, brown malts, dextrins, Vienna malts, and some fruity breadiness on the finish. I find myself working in overdrive to find these notes; it's not a reticent or muted flavour profile, and it does have depth of flavour, but everything melts together so nicely it's tough to break it down into its constituent notes. A bit of cinnamon spice; if they played that note up this beer might be wonderful. A hint of pecan, a whisper of walnut...this is a tough nut to crack.

The malty sweetness is well-checked, and the fruitiness guides the flavour profile nicely, tying it together with a rare (for a doppelbock) cohesion. As it warms, fruitcake enters the equation. Maybe even some raisin. The subtlety of the dark fruit is notable, yet it retains a distinctly German vibe, never venturing into Belgian dark fruit territory - I guess because it never tastes candied?

No yeast character, alcohol, or off-notes come through. I'm surprised many other reviewers are calling it warm and/or boozy; I find the alcohol quite well concealed.

Overall, I find it well-balanced and cohesive, and it almost feels like a gestalt whole. Complex enough for a doppelbock, with surprising subtlety and an initial inaccessibility. Sure, it could be more intricate and nuanced, but that goes for damn near every beer. Sweetness is high in general, but just right for the style.

TEXTURE: Sticky, smooth, wet, full-bodied, heavy, thick, and lush without ever venturing into syrupy or viscous territory. It's only slightly over-carbonated, and while it's unrefreshing I do think it's a quenching meal-in-a-glass kind of brew. You could see a glass of this nourishing a tired German monk on a winter's night, and I suppose in the end that's what the style is designed for.

Has a good overall presence on the palate. This mouthfeel complements the taste quite well, but doesn't elevate the brew beyond the potential of the taste.

OVERALL: Drinkable for its high ABV, but nevertheless a very filling beer. You wouldn't want more than one in a night, and while I'll finish the bottle alone, I don't know that I'd recommend that to most beer drinkers. This will definitely satisfy fans of the style, and it's one of the better American offerings in the style I've had recently, but it's certainly not world-class. Smuttynose has done a good job brewing the intended style and I could see myself aging one or two of these if I had the disposable income on hand (I don't). It's perhaps a bit more subtle than my palate is currently able to contend with; I'll have to revisit this one when I'm more experienced. In any case, it's certainly worth trying at least once.

Poured a deep somewhat dulled amber with a nice tight well retained head that left a ring of lace behind as it settled slowly.Not big aromas but pleasant I pick up some definent caramel notes as well as some plum the alcohol is well hidden in the nose.A big malt bomb to be expected a sweet pizza dough like quality with caramel and prune with just a hint of German hop zip in the finish.A solid American doppelbock to be had,I would drink again for sure. (455 characters)

Appearance  This one sported a smallish white head and was light, ruby brown in color.

Smell  Theres some light caramel and good toasty malts to this nose, but the booze is just horrendous. I like a sense of alcohol in my Doppelbocks, but this was like Russian vodka from a plastic bottle (no offense, Globetrotter). The fruits, mostly prunes and plums, were terrific along with the sugary molasses, but I just couldnt get by the alcohol.

Taste  The molasses came out big at the taste. The malts were huge and soaked in darkish fruits. The cheap vodka flavor dimmed my view of this one, though.

Mouthfeel  This is between medium and full-bodied with a light drying at the finish and a huge alcohol sting.

Drinkability  I enjoyed some of the malty and fruity flavors of this DB, but the booze and harsh bitterness at the finish ruined the experience.

Comments  Thanks to Skyhand for letting me use her sink to pour out the rest of this bottle.

Update  I originally reviewed this with a 2005 sample and noticed that I came in much lower than everyone else. I thought maybe I got a bad bottle so was thrilled when BeerGuy brought me another bomber, this time an 06 vintage.

I would stand by my previous review with two exceptions. First, the head was much better this time around. Second, the alcohol was still cumbersome but not as bad as the 05. The rest of my tasting notes seemed right on, so I am going to raise my Appearance rating by half a point and call it even.

Beimg close to the source, I've had a few of Smutty's Big Beers. S'muttonator isn't so great. It has a nice dark red-brown color with a small head. It smells malty-sweet, and tastes the same. I was thinking it was going to taste a little stronger. Feels OK in the mouth. It isn't a beer that I'd want to drink more than one of at a time.

Recently had the 2006 version, and I have to say this is a richer, more flavorful version. Will drink it again. (453 characters)

Pours a cloudy, very dark amber with a creamy beige head that retains well. Smells of cherries, dark fruits, figs, sweet malts. Tastes of more cherries, dark fruits, ripe fruits, sweet caramel, figs, prunes, some raisins, toffee...sweet but delicious. Im usually not fond of very sweet beers, but this one doesnt go over the top sweet. It is perfect...it hits that sweet line and stops. Great flavors. Creamy mouthfeel, good carbonation, wet finish. Quite drinkable. All hail the glorious SMUTTY. Make mine a Smutty! (516 characters)

S- Big malty aroma, hints of caramel and raisins. Faint alcohol in the nose as well.

T&M- Impeccable smoothness within the lush full body. Rich layers of malt begin to unfold as this brew warms up a bit. Velvety coco, mildly roasted coffee, fresh baked brown bread and a kiss of caramel. Light on the hopping, ample bitterness is still around after a year. Clean and sharp alcohol warms the palate.

D- A sipping brew to say the least, I could sip this one all night long. Paired this one with a beer braised pork roast and later with fresh baked brownies. (770 characters)

Happy to find this bomber in my packy today. Fresh seasional in the correct season, bottle tells you it was bottled in 2004. Looks like they think it will age well.
Dark amber, cloudy with what looks like unexpected yeast particles floating around. Tan head, leaving thick sticky lacing. Rich nose of malt, bourbon and alcohol. This is a full bodied, flavorful , strong sipper. It feels all of its 9%! Nice thick and smooth mouthfeel. Notes of rum, raisins, vanilla, honey, cinimmon. This brew oozes flavor, character and complexity, Go Smutty! Fine winter sipper. (565 characters)

I bought this as a single at Union Jack's on the Manatawny. I drank it in a pint glass.

Pours a brilliant deep copper with a 1/2 finger of off-white foam. The head falls pretty quickly to nothing, with no lacing. Carbonation appears medium. Kind of disappointed with the head of this one.

Aroma is sweet caramel and Munich malt, with some just there spicy hops. Very clean, and not fruity at all, as per style. Brown sugar and spiciness is good, although I was expecting more from a doppelbock. Alcohol comes through as it warms.

Flavor is rich, sweet caramel, clean as hell, with faint spicy hops. Malt is the star of this beer, as it should be. Alcohol very well hidden. Aftertaste is sweet, dark malt.

Mouthfeel is rich and full, with fairly gentle carbonation. Finish is sweet and warm.

This is good, if not a little underwhelming. I was expecting more of everything. As a bock it would work very well, as a doppelbock, it's strictly a little above average. (977 characters)

2006 bottle purchased at Vidalia. Pours with a big head which settles nicely into a pretty lacing. Dark amber in appearance. Smells bready & sweet. The taste is a good combo of malt & sweetness. Mouthfeel is smooth & this is drinkable even with an ABV of 8.5%. I am a fan of the style & this is a good dopplebock.

S'muttonator opens with a rich, malty nose overflowing with aromas of fresh baked bread (both wheat and white baguette), oranges, pears, white grapes, cherries, heavy molasses and brown sugar, fig, and hot toffee/caramel, somewhat like a candied apple in this last respect. The effect is mouthwatering, which is exactly what I want from a double bock.

On the tongue, the beer begins with deep, dark fruit esters, including fig, black cherry, raisin, and caramelized plum. These are joined by a heavy grain base that boasts some light coffee flavors, as well as wheat and marbled rye bread, molasses and brown sugar, and just at the edge, hints of port and cognac. In this latter area, the beer shows one of its few flaws, for the alcohol (8.5% ABV) does add just slightly too much of a vodka-like hint to the brew. Subsequent sips end up bringing more of this alcohol flavor to the front of the profile, and the beer suffers if too many sips are taken in rapid succession, especially if it is held on the tongue. The aftertaste is slightly alcoholic, but still has many of the darker fruit esters. Mouthfeel is medium, and carbonation is medium-high, adding a slight tingle to the soft palate.

Overall, the aroma of this beer is excellent, and the flavors present in the first sip of this beer are lovely. I only wish that the beer had better lasting power through subsequent sips, as the alcohol did become overpowering after a time. (1,436 characters)

Fresh bottle but noted that it was bottled in 2006 and bottle conditioned

A- Rich red tinted mahoghany with a giant caramel head which quickly resides

S-Toffee sweetness with no alcohol that some others have detected

T- Sweet caramel maltiness.

M- Very malty with some hop oil residue, little to no carbonation

D- A bomber is the perfect medium for this one. I am not picking up on the alcohol but at close to 10% more than one bomber would be a heck of a night cap. Overall, this has been my favorite Big series beer from smutty and I am an IPA guy. (566 characters)

Clear copper liquid with a full and frothy head of tight foam with big dimples punctuated throughout. Retention is good, and little dots of lace speck up around the glass.

Inviting aroma of caramel malt, brown sugar, toffee and fruit.

Rich flavor upfront, very malty and a bit woody. Caramel and smoke follow, with a slight metallic twinge, finishing with ripe fruit and toffee, a bit of molasses. A bit of alcohol warmth rises up the cheeks. A mild yeasty flavor seems to linger.

Good full mouthfeel, creamy, but good carbonation tingle on the tongue. Finishes dry, a bit crisp and tannic. Perhaps some numbing on the tongue.

Browsing at a local bottle shop and I eye up two of the big beers from Smutty nose priced very modestly. This and the Baltic Porter from 2009 were only six bucks, I was sold. This one pours an impressive deep amber mahogany brown hue completed clouded with some yeast sediment. Nice huge collar of tan khaki head goig on with fine intricate layers of lacing, this bottle was bottled in 2010 probably earlier this year in the spring. Aroma has some big malt layers deep with tart fruit and hints of raisin, a nice depth of ingredients involved in the brewing process. Also some floral fruity notes in the back end quite the interesting New England brewed German style lager. Flavor really coats the palate with back end roasted malt and upfront fruitiness. Figs/plums/raisins soaked in alcohol with a nice crusted bread layer finishes somewhat balanced with a strong herbal hop finish. A touch of dark chocolate and other roasted malt qualities brings a nice balance to the overall mix. As it warms herbal mint with a touch of pine cone comes out, the hops here definitely have an American slant but they're note overdone. Mouthfeel is as full bodied as a lager will ever be, almost chewy due to loads of malts and bready yeast sediment bringing a nice body. Carbonation was natural bottle conditioned very enjoyable experience. Drinkability, I had no problems finishing and enjoying a whole bomber although ideally you better find a drinking partner on a big beer like this. Great quality version of a rarely brewed in America style. (1,533 characters)

Pours a deep amber color with a one inch soapy white head. Haze is evident when held up to the light but no sediment is visible. Spotty lacing at best with a steady stream of bubbles. Looks pretty good from the start but towards the finish is when the chunks appear. Lots of sludge noticeable on the bottom, so pour it with ease.

The nose is dark malts, toffee, rye, spicey hops and biscuit. Brown sugar and honey add to the sweetness which helps the overall aroma.

The flavor is interesting and not how I remembered it. Rye, caramel, piney hops and grass. In the end the alcohol is overwhelming and detracts from the flavor.

Mouthfeel is hot from the start and continues right through the finish. The body is medium and coats the palate nicely which is a highlight. Finishes warm and dry but surprisingly tangy.

Overall I'm disappointed either with my past memory or an apparent recipe change, I don't know. I'll revisit this vintage with a little more time on it in hopes the heat backs off. (1,095 characters)

A big brown crown of head forms a thick, dense 2 finger high pillow above a deep, very dark brown beer and barely relents. A thick foam remains that leaves a good amount of lacing behind.There's a big, strong malt on the nose with less complexity than the flavor but still plenty of plum/raisin, licorice and caramel as well as just a hint of hops and a tinge of alcohol that softly underlies, implying a high ABV without getting too involved.There's lots going on in the flavor, and the malts are very big. They set a backdrop for all kinds of licorice, molasses, toffee/caramel, notes of vanilla and just enough hops to add a balance along with plenty of doughy breads. This is one of those sippers that is easy to put back and tasty enough to keep going at, with the alcohol making itself just evident and, again, detracting from nothing this beauty has to offer.There's a rich, thick, lush mouthfeel to this beer as well with appropriately light carbonation and lots of smoothness from a full, hearty body.This is an exceptional doppelbock, and nearly as good as Celebrator in my opinion. (1,096 characters)